Latin America: Mexico

Mexico’s Climate & Features Sierra Madre Moutains ☼ Occidental – West Coast ☼ Oriental - East Coast Much of Mexico is a Plateau Desert in Northern Mexico Volcanoes created much fertile farmland in Central Mexico Tropical Climate in Southern Mexico El Niño currents affect weather throughout North America

History of Mexico Teotihuacan: 200BC – 550AD Major trade/religious center dominated central Mexico About 250,000 citizens at its peak The Maya: 1800BC – 900AD Over 60 city-states in Southern Mexico & Central America Advanced in science, math, astronomy, & architecture The Aztec: 1325AD – 1521AD Empire dominated the Valley of Mexico. Spanish Colony: 1521 – 1810 Spanish Colony: 1521 – 1810

Mexico’s Population Largest, most populated, and economically most developed of the Middle American nations Largest, most populated, and economically most developed of the Middle American nations Population - more than 100 million Population - more than 100 million Most populated Spanish speaking country in the world. Most populated Spanish speaking country in the world. Land & Wealth controlled by a small percentage of the population Land & Wealth controlled by a small percentage of the population

Initiated in the 1960s as coupon houses Initiated in the 1960s as coupon houses Assembly plants that pioneered the migration of industries in the 1970s Assembly plants that pioneered the migration of industries in the 1970s Today: 4,000 maquiladoras & 1.2 million employees Today: 4,000 maquiladoras & 1.2 million employees Modern industrial plants Modern industrial plants Assemble imported, duty-free components/raw materials Assemble imported, duty-free components/raw materials Export the finished products Export the finished products Mostly foreign-owned (U.S., Japan) Mostly foreign-owned (U.S., Japan) 80% of goods reexported to U.S. 80% of goods reexported to U.S. MAQUILADORAS

Tijuana Nogales Ciudad Juarez Matamoros Reynosa Monterrey Chihuahua MAQUILADORAS

ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES  Mexico gains jobs.  Foreign owners benefit from cheaper labor costs. EFFECTS EFFECTS  Regional development  Development of an international growth corridor between Monterrey and Dallas - Fort Worth MAQUILADORAS

U.S. TRADE WITH CANADA & MEXICO Canada remains as the United States’ largest export market. Canada remains as the United States’ largest export market. Since 1977, Mexico has moved into second place (displacing Japan). Since 1977, Mexico has moved into second place (displacing Japan). 85% of all Mexican exports now go to the United States. 85% of all Mexican exports now go to the United States. 75% of Mexico’s imports originate in the United States. 75% of Mexico’s imports originate in the United States. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) includes U.S.A., Canada, & Mexico North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) includes U.S.A., Canada, & Mexico